Related Experiment Videos
Population-based study of acute respiratory infections in children, Greenland
Anders Koch1, Per Sørensen, Preben Homøe
1Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. ako@ssi.dk
Insights
Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are common and severe in Inuit children. This study found a high incidence of ARIs in young Inuit children in Greenland, impacting their health and requiring frequent medical attention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) pose a significant health burden on Inuit children, characterized by high incidence and severity.
- Understanding the epidemiology of ARIs in this population is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and impact of acute respiratory infections in Inuit children under two years of age.
- To provide data on ARI occurrence and healthcare utilization within this specific demographic.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study followed 294 Inuit children (<2 years) in Sisimiut, Greenland, from 1996 to 1998.
- Data collection involved weekly home and childcare center visits, alongside health center visit records.
- Respiratory symptoms and fever were systematically recorded.
Main Results:
- Children experienced respiratory symptoms on 41.6% of surveyed days and fever on 4.9%.
- The incidence rates for upper and lower respiratory tract infections were 1.6 and 0.9 episodes per 100 days at risk, respectively.
- ARIs frequently led to activity restriction (65%) and health center contact (40%).
Conclusions:
- The incidence of acute respiratory infections in Inuit children is notably high compared to global data.
- Findings highlight the substantial impact of ARIs on the health and healthcare needs of young Inuit children.
- Further research and public health strategies are warranted to address this significant health issue.
Abstract:
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are frequent in Inuit children, in terms of incidence and severity. A cohort of 294 children <2 years of age was formed in Sisimiut, a community on the west coast of Greenland, and followed from 1996 to 1998. Data on ARI were collected during weekly visits at home and child-care centers; visits to the community health center were also recorded. The cohort had respiratory symptoms on 41.6% and fever on 4.9% of surveyed days. The incidence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections was 1.6 episodes and 0.9 episodes per 100 days at risk, respectively. Up to 65% of the episodes of ARI caused activity restriction; 40% led to contact with the health center. Compared with studies from other parts of the world, the incidence of ARI appears to be high in Inuit children.